Latch



A L .w

7 Sept. 9, 1930.

INVENTOR. fin/2.21

BY I

A TTORNEYQ Patented Sept. 9, 1930 i UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER A. arrives, on vonxfrnnnsyrvamn, Assienon To MARTIhLPABR-Y cor.- PORATION, or YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, A conronarion or DELAWARE LATCH Application filed July 30,

The invention relates to improvementsin latches particularly adapted for maintaining doors or like closures in.closed positions, al though applicable for use in any fields where a quick operating latch is desirable.

The invention more particularly relates to a latch of the type having a pivoted latch bar adapted to swing over a latch lug and be united thereto and specifically embraces an improved form of operating spring for the latch bar and its mounting.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 represents a view looking at one side of the latch. 1

Figure 2 is a view looking at one end of the latch toward the pivot for the latch bar; and,

ITigure 3 discloses spring. a 7

Referring now more particularly. to the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts, the numerals 1 and 2 designate a pair of swinging doors. These doors may be of the type used on delivery Wagons. The latch structure embodies a latch bar support'3, which is preferably constructed of flat metal having a base at united to the door 2 by screws or the like and a pair of struck-up ears 5 projecting a substantial distance beyond the base.

Pivotally attached to the mounting 3 is a latch bar 6, the same being preferably formed from a strip of flat metal and having a peripheral flange 7 extending downwardly therefrom. This flange preferably increases in length toward the rear of the latch bar and constitutes a housing for parts to be hereinafter described. The latch bar is united to the ears 5 of the latch bar support by a pivot pin 8 which passes through the apertures in these ears and aligned apertures in the rear end of the flange 7 It will be observed that in this construction a spring 9 is also mounted on the pivot pin 8. This spring is formed from a single piece of wire wrapped to provide the coils 10 around the pivot pin with the ends 11 thereof engaging the base of the latch bar support while the opposite end 12 of the a detail view of the spring is directed upwardly away from the i 1927. Serial No. 209,575.

latch bar support and. normally seats within the pocket formed in thelatchbar by reason of the flange 7 thereof. The coils 1'0 ofthe spring serve, of course; to urge the extensions or arms 11 and 12 thereof in opposite direcanelongated slot 16 disposed centrally therein for the passage of the latch lug 13 when the latch bar is moved toward the door 1 against thetension of the spring 9. A locking lever 17 is pivotally mounted on the latch bar 6 at its outer end. This lever carries a cam 18 having a high part 19 at thecenter thereof which cam gradually reduces in diameter toward the straight rear side .18, whichrear sidc however, is enlarged to provide the shoulders 20 toprevent the accidental. disengagementof the cam from, the latching, as will hereinafter appear.

When using the latch the cam lever 17 is engaged with thecam portion thereof directed away from the slot 16 in the latch bar.

This latch bar is then moved toward the door 1 against the tension of the spring 9 until the hook end 14 of the latch 13 projects through the elongated slot 16. The latch lever 17 is then turned in a rotary direction to bring the high part of the cam carried thereby beneath the bill of the hook 1 1. This tightly holds the latch bar in position against the spring 9. To release the latch bar further pressure is placed on the cam lever 17, this lever being given a rather quick or snap movement so that the bill of the hook rides around the surface of the cam and ofif the enlarged shoulder of the cam, thereby releasing the-hook. VVhenthe hook is released obvi ously the coil spring throws the latch bar away from the hook.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the spring!) is mounted on the pivot 8 and that this spring has one arm housed within the pocket formed in the latch bar 6. This mounting of the spring prevents any lateral movement thereof. I have also found that this type of spring is highly preferable to flat springs in both operation and durability.

Having thus described my invention What 5 I claim is:

A latch comprising a latch bar support formed of sheet metal having a fiat base adapted to be secured to a support and upstanding integral ears at the rear thereof, a

10 latch bar having a base and marginal peripheral flanges of tapered formation forming a pocket of substantial size at the rear thereof, a hood provided at the rear of said latch bar, a pivot pin secured to the ears of the latch 15 bar support and the rear flanges ot the latch bar to secure the same together, a spring for normally maintaining the latch bar outwardly With respect to the support, said spring being constructed of Wire bent intermediate 0 its ends and coiled upon itself to provide spaced coils surrounding the pivot pin and fitting Within and protected by the pocket 1" 'ovided by the latch bar, said coils engaging the rear peripheral flanges ct the latch bar, an upwardly and outwardly extending portion of the spring wire having spaced branches connected by a loop, said branches and loop engaging the latch bar Within the pocket thereof, a second extension of the 510 spring having spaced branches disconnected at their ends and extending in the same direction and in substantially the same vertical plane as the first mentioned spring extension, said last mentioned branches engaging the latch bar support and coacting With the spring portion engaging the bar to maintain the bar in its lifted disengaged position,

a latch lug, and a latching lever carried by the latch bar having a tapered cam for en- 40 gaging said lug to releasably secure the free end of the latch bar to the lug against tension of said spring.

In testimony whereof I atiiz: my signature.

lVALTER r. MAYES. 

